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Xavier Choice was born in Fort Worth, and raised in Houston Texas. Choice would frequently visit Fort Worth where his family resides. He started writing at the young age of 10 years old under his first emcee name, X-Man. His older brother, Jarian greatly inspired him by giving him a taste of rap when he would record himself rapping over Tupac beats. Choice was instantly hooked.

Interview by FancyJ London
FancyJ: “What or who inspired you to come out into the music world?”

Choice : “My older brother, Jarian, used to always spit verses over Tupac beats and I used to hear him do it all the time. I have always looked up to him, simply because he’s my older brother. But when I saw him rapping, it honestly changed my life. I knew then that, that was what I wanted to do with my life. Along with the inspiration that he provided, I was always in church. I was in the church choir, and I was always singing around the house. I was singing before I even started rapping. Most people don’t know that. I have a very musical family and it just runs in my veins.”

FancyJ: “Where do most of your lyrics come from?”

Choice : “Mostly life experiences. Every now and then, I’ll step out of the realm of reality and life experiences and get arrogant and tell everyone how I’m better than them. But, it mostly comes from being looked down upon as a teenager growing up. I was always bullied and no one thought that my music or what I was saying was anything worth listening to. I was the quintessential underdog. I hung out with my small circle of friends who were also considered “uncool” and “unpopular”. I use that as fuel to my fire to show everyone that I’m not to be looked past as just another emcee. I’m someone special.”

FancyJ: “Do you think music has the ability to influence the world for the better, or at least change the mentality of most people worldwide?”

Choice : “Absolutely. 100%. Music, in my opinion, is the key to many solutions in life. It is one of, if not the most, influential thing in the universe. People’s moods can change in an instant depending on what song they are currently listening to. It can bring up many memories whether it is good or bad. In that same sense, it can easily inspire people to want to do better and challenge other people to do the same with them. The song, We Are The World, made many people want to do better with their lives and start giving.”

FancyJ: “If you were already at the top of billboard, had your Grammy, and star on Hollywood…what would you do first?”

Choice : “Nothing really, continue doing what I love and keep making music. Living my life to the fullest. Simple answer. But, all the accolades aren’t important to me.”

FancyJ: “Do you contribute to any charities, own a charity, or have dreams to start one?”

Choice : “I currently do not contribute to any charities but whenever I would have the funds to do so, I would have no problem giving money to those who are less fortunate.”

FancyJ: “How do you feel when you are singing in the studio, what keeps you pumped?

Choice : “Untouchable. I feel like whenever the mic is on, no one can hold a candle to me. May not be true, because it isn’t, but it’s the mentality that you have to have when being in the studio. Also, on the flipside of things, what keeps me pumped and gets me going, is knowing that it’s just me, the mic, and my words. My story that I have the pleasure of telling to the world. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

FancyJ: “What or who is your main inspiration in life?”

Choice : “The underdogs. Everybody who has been bullied in school and pushed aside by all of their peers. The ones who, instead of choosing to fight back using their fists, chose to use their minds and their drive to get back at the people who treated them wrong. Those are the people I do it for. The ones who have a story to tell and feel that they are worth more than what people say they are. The people who are unapologetic for being themselves.”

FancyJ: “Who is your biggest music influencer, why?”

Choice : “Well, my older brother, Jarian definitely gave me inspiration. But as far as influences? There are too many to count. Most recently, the person who I’ve been heavy on for the longest is J Cole. He has a style that I tend to gravitate more towards more. I love his delivery and the story that he tells. He’s unapologetic about the way he is, humble and honest. I’m the same way.”
FancyJ: “Do you play any instruments, don’t play? So, do you have a favorite?”

Choice : “I used to play trumpet back in middle school for a short time. My favorite is the saxophone. Honestly, because it’s so damn sexy! Really! Something about the sax just hits my soul right every time. It’s a really beautiful sound, and can be so powerful in conveying so many emotions.”

FancyJ: “What made you choose your stage name, or stick with your own?”

Choice : “Well my stage name is actually my last name. My full name is Xavier Choice. Before, I was Yung X. The whole yung thing is played out and I figured I wanted to be more marketable and sound more appealing to the masses. Plus, I got tired of hiding behind an alias. I felt like I could be myself more if I just used my name.”

FancyJ: “Can you explain the meaning behind the last song you produced, why was this song created?”

Choice : “The last song I wrote was a song entitled, Vibe With Me. It’s unreleased. It’s a feel good song that makes you want to just nod your head and chill out. That was the whole purpose of making the song. The whole point was to make people feel good and enjoy the feel good hip-hop.”

FancyJ: “If you had to asses your own music, what three things would you say you admire about it, and what three things would you critique?”

Choice : Three things that I admire about my own music would be…
1. I speak from my heart.

2. Never afraid to try anything different.

3. My words are clear and easy to decipher.

Three things that I would critique are…
1. Sometimes I have a tendency to take too deep of breaths on tracks.

2. When rapping fast I can get jumbled up and tongue-tied.

3. My singing could be a lot better at times and I could use more practice on it.
FancyJ: “Where do you see yourself in the music industry in five years?”

Choice : “Influential and inspirational to the people who have the mentality and background as I do. A leader to the uncool and unpopular kids.”

FancyJ: “What other occupation would you has chosen if you had not chosen music?”

Choice : “Working in the meat department at a grocery store. I’ve done grocery work all my life and I love customer service.”

FancyJ: “If you could be anyone in the world for one day, who would you choose, what would you do the entire day, and why would you choose that person?”

Choice : “I would choose to be any of the top hip-hop stars in the world today. J. Cole, Drake, Logic, etc.. I would just want to be in their shoes and see what it’s like to go through the day that they go through. The stresses of planning out interviews and deadlines to make and appearances. I’ve always been to attracted to the non glamorous side of the celebrity life.”

FancyJ: “How do you deal with rejection, haters, and gold diggers?”

Choice : “That’s just it, I don’t deal with it. My revenge is success. I’m going to keep doing me and if there’s anybody that has an issue with my methods or my life, they don’t have to be in my life.”
FancyJ: “What helps you remain grounded, focused, and determined with your career?”

Choice : “The people who tell me that they feel something when listening to my music. No bigger compliment can be said in the world than when someone tells me that my music spoke to them. Plus, I have a real passion for this. I’m a very humble person and I know that people don’t have to listen to me if they don’t want to. So I always thank the ones that truly love my music and want to know what I have to say.”

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT XAVIER CHOICE BELOW, MAKE SURE YOU SUBSCRIBE, FOLLOW AND LISTEN TO HIS MUSIC!

“I believe we as artists must support our fellow talented wandering souls out there to reach the stars! The best success comes when you unite, not divide!” ~FancyJ
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Member of the Upstate Poetry Slam Team 2004-present and Slam Coach from 2006-present;

Featured poet for Band-Aids (AIDS Awareness Program) in Spartanburg, S.C.,

Featured several times in Spartanburg Herald Journal and The Link;

Performed at several elementary, junior and senior high schools, universities, and colleges.

Regular host along with Kimbi the Goddess at several poetry venues;

Poem published in Still Home(Book of Spartanburg Poets); 2009

Poetry Slam Instructor for USC-Upstate’s Upward Bound Program;

Competed in The Southern Fried Poetry Slam Competitions 2004-2011;

Competed in PSI’s National Poetry Slam 2004-2008;

Special Guest performer at the 27th Annual Evening of Talent Expressions at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium;

Featured artist at the Travelers Rest Arts Commission annual Arts Festival October 6, 2007 in Traveler Rest, S.C./ featured poet for the North Charleston Arts Festival May 2008, Stone Soup Story Telling Festival in Woodruff, S.C. in 2009 and 2010/ Featured poet for the Annual Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.C.,

The Peace Day Festival in Charleston, S.C. 2008 and 2009/ 2010 and 2011 featured poet for the annual Chautaugua Festival, and along with Kimbi the Goddess opened up for Trey Songz at The Carolina First Center in Greenville, S.C. and at The 3rd Annual Millican Festival in Sumter, S.C. Moody was one of the presenters at the 2011 TedX Greenville SC Event, and the 2011 Pecha Kucha Greenville SC.

In addition, Moody Black is the Coffee Underground Grand Poetry Slam Champion of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. 2012 Poetry finalist in the 1st Ignite the Mic Talent Show at TD Convention Center, and Champion of the 2nd and 4th Annual Slam Madness Poetry Slam Competition, 2012 Grind Flu Magazine Spoken Word Artist of the year, and tied for first place in the Southern Fried Poetry Slam Slam Master’s Slam (2012 Tampa FL and 2013 New Orleans, LA), and co-host and co-organizer of the 22nd Annual Southern Fried Poetry Slam, and along with Kimbi the Goddess-2015 National Poetry Awards Host of the Year and Open Mic Venue of the Year.

Moody Black: “A big shout out to the family, and all those who are like family, and of course my fans who show so much love and support.”

Hiraeth writes about the longings of the heart. A sensitive, sensory soul, she has been writing as a coping mechanism since she was twelve. As a teenager her poetry won several awards and was published in anthologies.

Often raw, straight-to-the-point, her writing is stripped down, bare and layered with emotion.

Her debut novel, Hiraeth Phoenix, was published on Amazon in March 2015. It is the culmination of a year of writing and sharing on her blog and Facebook page.

Hiraeth Phoenix tells the story of a young couple’s relationship by exploring each person’s version of events. It begins with Phoenix, who is in shock and anger following Hiraeth’s sudden departure with no plausible explanation, apart from her realization that they are no longer growing together, expressed in her poetic style. At the end of the first half of the novel, the reader sympathises with him and finds it difficult not to judge Hiraeth for her seemingly selfish behaviour. However, in the second half Hiraeth has a chance to explain herself, to explore the cavities of her soul, her sensitivity. The novel takes the reader on a journey through the heartbreak of a break up, a divorce, the unexpected challenges, the loss that follows, but also the renewal and beauty of second chances. And at the end, it beckons, if you had that chance to see both sides of the story, would it change your behaviour, your ultimate choice?

Some reviews of the book are available on her website.
All characters in the novel are entirely imaginary and any resemblance to persons living or dead or actual events is purely coincidental.

Readers who are interested in reviewing the novel are welcome to contact Hiraeth directly for a complimentary copy.

Hiraeth is passionate about women’s causes and the fight against ending violence against women and children. The theme of not loving another at the expense of oneself is a recurring one in her poetry. When she isn’t exploring fabric of her soul, Hiraeth likes surfing and gardening.
Connect and Contact: Hiraeth Phoenix